Dallas Stars CEO Jim Lites was one of the first hires when the Minnesota North Stars relocated to Dallas before the 1993-94 season.

Lites has spent parts of 22 years over three stints (1993-02, 2003-07 and 2011-present) with the Stars. was brought back into the organization as the president when Tom Gaglardi bought the team in 2011. Lites is largely responsible for the business side of the organization but was also the key voice in hiring Stars general manager Jim Nill away from the Detroit Red Wings.

Lites sat down with The Athletic for a wide-spanning interview last week. Covering topics including the Dallas Stars ownership, potential ties to the new ownership group in Carolina, a potential NHL franchise in Houston, and how this season has played out.

You've had key interactions with each of the Stars owners, dating back to being one of the first employees that Norm Green hired in Dallas. How much have NHL owners changed in the past three decades or...